Dodd coauthors the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act, which directs the State Department to include information relating to freedom of the press worldwide in annual country reports on human rights practices. The bill, named in honor of Wall Street Journal South Asia Bureau Chief Daniel Pearl who, in 2002, was kidnapped and brutally murdered by extremists in Pakistan, specifically requires the State Department to identify countries in which there were violations of press freedom; determine whether the government authorities of those countries participate in, facilitate or condone the violations; and report the actions that have been taken to preserve the safety and independence of the media and ensure the prosecution of individuals who attack or murder journalists. It is signed into law on May 17.